The Sevillano Drama.

   Que el Betis es algo universal no lo voy a descubrir ahora. Que el derby también transciende más allá de nuestras fronteras, tampoco. 

   Os quiero transcribir un artículo de mi buen amigo David ("deivid" para los amigos). David W. es inglés, y desde hace ya algunos meses reside en Sevilla. Socio del Betis, escribe artículos para el portal www.enverdiblanco.com , y os quiero transcribir un artículo que ha realizado para dicha web, escrito en inglés. 

   Para los que no sepáis inglés, podéis usar http://translate.google.es/, copiáis y pegáis el texto. Estoy seguro que os vá a encantar. 

THE SEVILLANO DRAMA

 The derby Sevillano; summed up in three words; pride, passionate, intense. There are many world renowned derbies held across the globe. Namely River Plate vs Boca Juniors, Rangers vs Celtic and Milan vs Inter. Spain is home to an equally famous and ferocious match and one is not talking about Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Here in Andalucía there is a fixture which goes beyond what happens on the pitch and is enhanced further when both teams are located in the same city. It’s the first match both supporters look for when the match schedules are announced. It divides and forges together friends and family members respectively and this fixture is spoken of much before the actual encounter and a long time after it too. There is even a rowing race between the clubs, which was recently won by Real Betis Balompié. Two separate identities, philosophies, colours and supporter bases; the Sevillano derby between Real Betis and Sevilla brings together two diverse polar opposites.

   Historically Real Betis are the working class outfit with strong links to Triana and Heliópolis alike. Whereas Sevilla are generally regarded as the more affluent club of the divide located in the city suburbs. There have been over 100 matches played between the two clubs. Real Betis have won 36 of those, Sevilla have 52 victories with 28 matches ending in a draw. Although overall Sevilla have the advantage in majority wins statistics count for nothing when Sunday’s latest derby commences. Last seasons two encounters generated 12 goals between the two teams and 3 red cards which displayed all the hallmarks of this intense match. For over many generations this raw rivalry has intensified and emerged into one of footballs most engaging matches. No matter where each club find themselves in the table, this is a must see game which brings together the whole of the city. A recent study confirmed nearly 70% of residents in the city have some affinity to one of the clubs which shows its popularity in the capital city of Andalucía.

   On the field there can be evidence of one similarity in which each team follow similar patterns of competitiveness. In 2000 both Sevillano clubs were relegated together however the following year both were equally promoted to the Primera División at the first attempt. In the mid 2000’s both teams qualified for their respective European Competitions and both achieved noteworthy silverware. Last season both clubs qualified for this seasons Europa League competition and currently both clubs are suffering domestically in the league. This is, however, where the comparisons end and for the supporter of each club it is only important if you are of the green or red background.

   Along the years this pure passion has manifested itself more violently however nowadays the fixture has become more cordial thanks to the healthy links between both clubs and the mutual respect shown between each set of supporters in light of the tragedies of Dani Jarque and Miki Roqué.

   A derby of this magnitude can be won and lost by the minutest of details and this week both teams will be working hard on the training ground to discover and gain that extra level of belief and motivation to ensure by the end of the game they are on the winning side of the derby. In terms of tactics, formations, strategies and motivation, these factors are all important traits in the world of football however in the derby the ability to remain calm and collected is equally vital as it is very easy for a player to be immersed in the intense atmosphere a match of this calibre can create.

   From the Green and White perspective, the potential return of Rúben Castro could be a key factor with the team naturally buoyed and motivated to see their top striker back in the fold. With the team occupying a place in the relegation zone, a victory in this latest derby could provide the turning point they crave and ultimately spark a positive revival of their season.

   Spain’s most flamboyant, traditional and colourful derby match arrives once more this weekend and this city is ready to embrace once again all the emotions this passionate fixture encompasses. The event of “the Sevillano drama” nears again.